2014 School Magazine

WATER POLO LOUISE HICKEY (12G) AND BRIDGETTE LEESON-SMITH (12G), CAPTAINS This water polo season has been like no other, with just under 200 girls participating, making it the highest number of players to represent Girls Grammar in the competition. The spirit and enthusiasm from both the players and the Grammar Water polo community was constantly present throughout the season, with a record number of BGGS supporters coming to watch the grand finals. The competition is very fierce, with the BGGS teams competing against a range of other club and school teams. The 2013/14 season finished with ten out of the fifteen teams making it through to top four on the ladder. This is an outstanding achievement and shows the strength of our squad, and the hard work put in by all girls and their coaches. The 13Cs, 14Bs, 16As and Open teams all progressed to their grand finals and played excellent games, with the 13Cs taking out the premiership. This year’s prestigious Deborah Handley Award was presented to two Year 10 players, Emily Powell (10E) and Remy Di Clemente (10H), an honour for both girls. BGGS was represented at several state and national club championships during the season. From these tournaments, many Girls Grammar players were then selected to play in various state, national, and other representative teams.

We’d like to thank all the coaches, managers and head coach and coordinator Mrs McCarthy. Our final year of BGGS water polo would not have been as successful without all your encouragement and support. ■

ROCK CLIMBING ALEXANDRA ATHERTON (8L) AND ALISON BECKEY (8R)

It’s really cool to use proper equipment on a fantastic climbing wall. Prior to this year, we had no idea there were special shoes just for rock climbing, or that you needed chalk for extra grip. But after nearly a year’s experience, we are able to climb almost everything; every route and almost every colour. There are many combinations, from easy to extremely difficult. There are also other activities such as prussicking, where you climb a single rope up to the top of the yellow beam and bouldering. Mr Greatorex, Annalise Varghese (2009) and Caitlin Mattner (2013) are always there at the Wall after school on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mr G is always willing to teach new girls, and Annalise and Caitlin are always there to help, offer techniques, and fill in if you’re short of a back-up belayer (not to mention join in a lot of talking). Climbing is a team effort and it’s really surprising how many girls from different years we know from rock climbing. After the initial rush of Year 8s, numbers tend to thin out leaving a ‘hard core’ climbing group who form a tight group, making friends with girls from other Houses and Years. That’s how the two of us became friends. Rock climbing is a fantastic activity. It is not only a problem solving and physical activity but it is also non- competitive. Most importantly it’s really fun. Come and have a go, we dare you. ■

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